Andrew Shulz
Thursday 3/12: 8pm / Friday 3/13: 7:30pm & 10pm / Saturday 3/14: 7:30pm & 10pm Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi St. (853-1211 / heliumcomedy.com) $15-$30
Comedian Andrew Schulz will be making his way to Helium Comedy Club this weekend. Schulz says that the sense of uncertainty is all part of the thrill of standup comedy. “It takes so much time. It’s horrible,” he states. “Imagine trying to learn how to play guitar, but you can only practice 15 minutes a day. You can really only practice comedy when you’re onstage. It’s brutal.” His style depends heavily on crowd participation and his ability to take risks with his jokes. “You’ve got to start swinging, and hopefully you swing and it’s funny. And if you swing and it’s not funny, at least it’s a funny story later.” Schulz has always enjoyed trying to making people laugh while growing up, but it wasn’t until he was in college that he decided to try making strangers laugh at an open comedy night. Schulz currently acts as host on MTV’s new show “The Hook Up” and has also hosted the acclaimed European Movie Awards for MTV in 2012. As a resident of New York City, he has established himself in the comedy circuit and regularly performs throughout the city and beyond.
> Jeff Czum
3/12 -3/14
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THU 3/12
Chris Barron of The Spin Doctors
8pm Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359 / dukesbohemiangrovebar.com) $10
Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar will be hosting a very special Throwback Thursday event with Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors. DBGB was actually inspired and fashioned after the defunct NYC music venue Wetlands Preserve, where many bands such as Spin Doctors, Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, and Gov’t mule performed regularly before finding worldwide fame. Having a singer from a Wetlands band must be very special for the club. The show is set to open with DJ Scott Baxter aka Drop D, followed by an acoustic set by Barron and then a rockin’ 90s Alternative set with Barron backed by “The Duke Doctors,” which is comprised of Joey Dyno-mite Andriaccio, Geno McManus, Jeff Schaller, and Brian Burd. The show will close with Sike on the turn-tables. This is one Throwback Thursday event you won’t want to miss.
> Jeff Czum
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Royal Tongues
6pm The Studio @ Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $10-$12
The Buffalo alternative/pop duo Royal Tongues will be kicking it off at the Studio at Waiting Room on Friday night (3/13 @6pm). Aaron Bonus and Justin Gamella were writing/producing for other artists as well as working on scores for television and film before putting their own project into action. They came into the scene when they released their first single “The Balance,” which scored over one million plays on Spotify. After a few short tours, Royal Tongues is becoming a recognizable name among listeners in the indy alternative scene. Earlier this year, the group released a new single “Higher” which will make people shake, groove and dance. Inspired by groups like MGMT, The Naked and Famous, and Grouplove, the sync-friendly pair will make anyone in the audience step out of their comfort zones and dance along. Wild Things, Parade Chic, and American Low are all opening bands in what will undoubtedly be a great show.
> Kenny Ghee
FRI 3/13
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SAT 3/14
Yarn
8pm Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St. (874-7734 / sportsmenstavern.net) $15-$18
The Brooklyn Americana group, Yarn will be performing at Sportsmen’s Tavern on Saturday (3/14 @8pm). The band, led by main songwriter Blake Chritiana has a tinged alt-country sound that may seem unconventional for a group of guys from New York City, but they’ll make you believe they grew up in the Appalachian Mountain countryside. The group has been well received within the Americana world as a result of the band’s first two records as well as strong performances at clubs and festivals. Their self-titled debut album reached No. 14 on the AMA and R&R Radio Charts, and ranked NO. 79 on AMA’s Top 100 Albums of 2007. Yarn’s sophomore release, Empty Pockets, peaked at No. 9 and was honored with eight first round 2009 Grammy nominations in several categories. Their most recent 2013 release, Shine the Light On, has propelled the band even further among listeners everywhere. Through extensive touring and showcase of talent, Yarn aims to capture the attention of concertgoers in every city they perform. You won’t want to miss out on this one.
> Jeff Czum
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G. Love & Special Sauce
7pm Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $25-$28
G. Love & Special Sauce, led by Garret Dutton AKA G.Love, has put out 12 albums and 4 EPs over the past twenty years. The group released their latest album, Sugar, last year and it has received rave reviews from both critics and fans. The album brought back the original line up of G. Love – upright bassist, James “Jimi Jazz” Prescott and drummer, Jeffrey “The Houseman” Clemens. This is the first time the band has performed together in nine years. Both Clemens’ hip-hop-inspired beats and Prescott’s upright grooves help bring back the group’s monumental sound that fans have come to love. The band have been laying down gritty blues, rock, funk and rap for audiences all over throughout their extensive career. The live show experience is full of positive energy and G. Love’s stage presence undeniable. The stories he tells on stage both in commentary and in song captivate the audience and bring out the good vibes, dancing and laughter. The group will be making their way to Town Ballroom this Sunday evening (3/14 @7pm). Expect to hear fan favorites like “Cold Beverage,” “Stepping Stones” as well as “Booty Call.”
> Jeff Czum
SUN 3/15
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MON 3/16
Taking Back Sunday
6pm Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $25-$28
Any one who remembers ‘the emo invasion of the mid 2000s’ will tell you that Taking Back Sunday was the staple of a music scene filled with studded belts, skinny jeans, and tight fitting t-shirts. I’m sure a big percentage of you can recall seeing the lyrics to “You’re So Last Summer” desperately typed into the AIM away messages of testosterone filled teenagers throughout the year 2004. The music of the Long Island band refurbished the emo-rock scene – setting an example of music that was lyrical driven with post-hardcore melodic screams and hard-hitting instrumental arrangements. On Monday night (3/16 @6pm), TBS will be taking the stage at Town Ballroom with punk rockers The Menzingers and the post-hardcore band Letlive. The tour follows the release of the TBS’ sixth studio album, Happiness Is, which debuted at the number 10 spot on Billboards Top 200 chart. With the original lineup restored, the band has established a firm footing in the next chapter of their long-celebrated career with epic anthems and heartfelt ballads you can hear on tracks like “Flicker, Fade,” “Stood A Chance” and “Better Homes and Gardens.” There is no way this show won’t sell out, so be sure to buy your tickets ASAP.
> Jeff Czum
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